Apparatus for making artificial leather.



S. MEERS.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I3, I90]. RENEWED JUNE 22. 19!].

1 ,235 ,04z3 Patented July 31, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I ITIIII I II I I I II I I I I I I f l I II I I I I IIQ- I I WITNESSES Q /NVENTOH Siep7ze 71/ Mars ATTORNEYS I I A I I a a MAT X N U V s S. MEERS.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED-MAR. 13. 1901. RENEWED JUNE 22.1917.

1,235,043. Patented July 31, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEE[ 2.

T' I IIL I r 1 1 I I 1 I -I I l I I I I 1 I II 1 I I :I ,1 I 1 L" 1/ 1 I, l 1 1 ll 11) ,1 1 I 1 l 1 I. I I I 1 1 I l I I 1 l 1 1 1 WITNESSES INVENTOR Q1 C. W B Siepzenj eris' S. MEERS.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL LEATHER. APPLICATION FILED MAR 13.1901. RENEWED JUNE 2 1,235,043.

2, I917. Patented July 31, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOF/ Sie z2%ew][eers B) I A TTOHNE IS STEPHEN MEERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL'LEATHER.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented July 31, 1917.

Application filed March 13, 1907, Serial No. 362,152. Renewed June 22, 1917. Serial No. 176,427.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN Means, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Apparatus for Making Artificial Leather, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an apparatus employed in the manufacture of artificial leather.

As is well known, artificial leather is now extensively used as a substitute for th natural product, the said artificial leather consisting, as a rule of a fabric, to which has been applied one or more coatings of various materials, and among which are solutions of nitrocellulose in volatile and other solvents.

After the fabric has been ,coated it is most important that the same. be expeditiously and uniformly dried, and this in-- vention accomplishes these objects in a most satisfactory manner.

Furthermore, the apparatus is so constructed that after the first coating is applied to the fabric and the latter passed through said apparatus for the purpose of drying said coating, a second, or as many coatings as desired, may be superimposed on the first coating without any winding or unwinding of the fabric or without removing it from the apparatus.

The drying must be effected while the fabric is under proper tension, lengthwise of the fabric, and, also, while said fabric is kept from wrinkling laterally.

The apparatus comprises a substantially closed chamber, provided with means for supporting and effecting the passage of the artificial leather therethrough in a circuitons path, means for producing a circulation of heated air within the chamber, and other devices and appliances incident to the performance of said functions, such as means for keeping the leather at a proper tension, spreading it laterally, etc.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as illustrative only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus for making artificial leather embodying this invention, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted and permits line 1-+-1 in Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3'-3 of Fig. 1, showing certain other parts in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing parts of the apparatus in side elevation.

Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail sectional view of a carriage forminga part of the tension mechanism for the web of material to be treated.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the tension mecha nism shown in Fi 5. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing one form of air heater adapted to be used in connection with the fan or blower.

Fig. 8 is adetail view through one of the blast pipes showing a delivery slot therein.

A designates a casing of the apparatus, which casing may b'e'of any appropriate size and shape. The casing provides a drying chamber, A, which is closed at the sides, ends and top. In one end wall of the casfor the ingress of a web of material, X,

mg is a horizontal slot, a, which provides said slot being at or' near to the upper portion of the casing. In the other end wall of the caslng is another slot, a, which is close to the floor or bottom of the apparatus material.

Within the drying chamber, A, is situated a plurality of devices which are adapt-' the egress of said web of wise and is spread laterally for the purpose of overcoming any tendency of the material 'to wrinkle,,crease or fold during the opera-' tion of drying the materials applied to web in the treatment of the fabrlc. 4

B designates a guide roller or cylinder which is arranged in the chamber near one of the corners thereof, the upper surface of said roller being" in the horizontal plane of the slot, a. This roller is mounted on a shaft, 6, which is journaled in appropriate bearings, b,.as shown in Fig. 3, and one end of this shaft extends beyond the casing the for the/reception of a driving pulley, B,

and a transmission pulley, B The driving pulley is operated by a belt, B indicated by dotted lines inFig. 3, said belt being operated from a line shaft, a motor or any other source of power. I

In the upper part of the drying chamber, A, is a horizontal partition, 0, which extends from the front wall of the casing, A, to a point quite close to the roll, B. This partition forms a compartment, 0, in the upper part of the drying chamber, and into this compartment the web, X, is first conducted. From the upper part of the casing, A, extends a stack or uptake, D, which provides an outlet for the hot air and vapors from the apparatus. Below the port or opening which establishes communication between the stack or uptake and the compartment, 0, of the drying chamber is a movable valve or plate, d, which is kept in position by suitable guides, d, the latter suspending the valve or plate at a point above the web of material and normally in a position to permit the hot air and vapor to escape from the drying chamber into the.

stack.

E, E designate other rolls for support,

ing and guiding the web of material, X, said rolls being at the opposite end of the dryin chamber from the roll, B. The rolls, E, are supported in a suitable way within the drying chamber, and they are arranged one below the other, the roll, E, being in a horizontal plane below the roll, B.

F designates a roll which is in a horizontal plane between the rolls, E, E, and is adapted to be supported at different distances from the rolls, B, E, E. The roll, F, cooperates with the other rolls of the series in supporting and guiding the material, but said roll, F, is supported by adjustable tension devices within the drying chamber -in order that webs, X, of different lengths may be held under proper tension within the apparatus. The roll, F, is car- I ried by a shaft which is mounted in bearings on an adjustable carriage, G. In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings a portion of this carriage, G, is shown; Said carriage consists of parallel sides, 9, which are connected rigidly by a cross bar, H, the latter being constructed to form one of the spreaders for the web, X. The side members, 9, of the tension carriage, G, are provided with the bearings, f, for the shaft of the movable roll, F, but in Figs. 5 and 6 only one of the bearings, f, is shown, and the roll, F, is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. The sides of the carriage, G, are fitted on horizontal rails, g, which are fixed in the chamber, A, at the lower part thereof. Said rails, g, extend longitudinally of the drying chamber, at the respective sides thereof, and the carriage, G, is held'in place on said rails so as to be free to move lengthwise of the drying chamber. The carriage is moved or adjusted in the drying chamher by any suitable means, but as shown, I

memo-1e .prefer to employ sprocket chains, I, I,

'1', on a shaft, I the other ends of said sprocket chains being secured to the side members, 9, of the carriage. The shaft, I is journaled in suitable bearings, 9', see Fig. 3, and one end of this shaft is extended beyond the side of the casing, A. Said protruding end of the shaft is pro vided with a ratchet wheel, J, and with an operating hand wheel, J a pawl, J engaging with saidratchet, as shownin Fig. 4:. By turning the hand wheel, J in one direction the shaft, I 's operated to impart motion to the chains, I, I for moving the carriage, G, and the take up roll, F, toward the front part of the drying chamber, but

'when the hand wheel and shaft, I are turned in the opposite direction, the chains kling or creasing I employ a plurality of Spreaders, K, K, H, within the drying chamber A. The Spreaders, K, K, are supported in stationary positions quite close to the rolls, E, E, whereas the other spreader, H, is mounted on the carriage, G, for movementv therewith. Each spreader is provided with a working face adapted to engage with the material of Web, X, on the uncoated surface thereof in a manner to strain the fabric of the web crosswise there of, and to this end each spreader is constructed with a-ribbed or corrugated work.- ing surface shown more particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, wherein the .spreaderyH, is represented as having two diagonal rows of corrugations or ribs, h, h. The corrugations, ribs or other equivalents indicated at h, are inclined oppositely to the corrugations or ribs, 71., of the spreader, H, and-as the web is drawn across the corrugations or ribs, 12., h, of the spreader they operate to stretch the material in opposite directions so as to prevent the web from wrinkling or creasing. It will be understood that each spreader of the number employed in the apparatus has a working face constructed as herein described, and adapted for engagement frictionally with the web, X, of material. The stationary spreaders, K, K, have their working faces in horizontal planes a little below the upper surface of the rolls, E, E, whereby the web of material is adapted to be deflected just before it passes around said rolls. Said spreaders, K, K, are supported in place within the drying chamber by any suitable means, but as shown the spreaders are fastened at their ends to battens, is, which are secured to the respective side walls of the chamber, A, preferably across suitable doors, a the latter being provided in the side walls of the casing, A, so as to enable an operator to obtain access to the drying chamber, A. The other spreader, H, is supported on the carriage, G, for its working surface to be above thehorizontal plane of the take up roll, F, substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. After the web of material leaves the roll, E, it is carried beneath the carriage, G, and its operating chains in order that the web of material may be extended through the slot, (1, and around an exposed guide roll, L, the latter being outside of the drying chamber at the rear part thereof. The shaft of this external guide roller is jour naled in bearings of a suitable bracket, Z, and on said shaft is secured a gear, m, which meshes with a gear pinion, m, on a countershaft, M. Said countershaft is journaled in suitable hearings on the bracket, Z, and it is provided with a pulley, m around which asses a belt, M, the latter being operated y a pulley, B on the shaft, 6, of the positively driven roll, B, whereby the roll, L, is positively driven by gear connections with the roll, B.

O designates an external frame at the front end of the casing, A. This frame is provided at its upper part with web supporting rollers, 0, and with a distributer, O,

the latter operating to uniformly distribute the material which is to be applied as a coating to the web, X. It is preferred to mount the distributer, O, in a vertically slotted guide, 0, to permit of vertical adjustment of said distributer, and furthermore, the rolls, 0, 0, are in the same horizontal plane, slightly below the entrance slot, a, of the casing, A. The frame 0, is provided with other rolls, 0 0 the former being in the horizontal plane of the exposed driven roll, L, whereby the web of material is adapted to be guided by the rolls, 0, 0 0 to and from the casing, A', of the apparatus.

Air is blown into the compartment, 0, and the drying chamber, A, by a blower or fan, shown by dotted lines at P in Fig. 3. From this fan leads a wind trunk, I which extends lengthwise of the casing, A, at one side of the apparatus, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The wind trunk supplies air to two series of branches, 3), which extend through one side wall of the casing, A, and are connected with distributing pipes, Q, Q, each distributing pipe being provided with one or more discharge slots, 9, shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 8. The air blast pipes,

Q, extend horizontally across the compartment, c, and the drying chamber, A, respectively, and the slots or openings, 1 in said pipes are placed in positions to blow air upon the coating which is applied to the web, X. It is preferred to arrange the pipes, Q, of one series above the web, X, as it passes through the compartment, 0, of the apparatus, whereas the pipes, Q, of the other series are in a horizontal plane between the spreaders, K, K, within the drying chamber, A, the said pipes, Q, being between two leads of the web, X.

Atmospheric air may be blown by the fan, P, into the drying chamber, A, and the air may be heated before it passes into the fan casing, or I may provide means interiorly of the drying chamber for the purpose of heating the air subsequent to its admission into said chamber, or I may employ the preliminary'air heater and the interior heating means conjointly. As shown in Fig. 7, the preliminary heater, R, is adjacent to the blower, P, and is connected operatively with the intake thereof for the purpose of heating the air before it passes into the blower, but it is evident that this preliminary heater may be omitted, if desired.

One means for heating the drying chamher, A, consists of the steam coils, S. As shown, the apparatus is equipped with two steam coils, one coil being in a horizontal plane below the partition, C, and the other in the horizontal plane of the carriage, G, the two coils being connected by a cross pipe, 8. I may, however, dispense with the lower heating coil, S, and the connecting pipe, 8. The upper coil, S, is supported by a rack, s. secured in the drying chamber directly below the partition, C, and from the respective ends of this coil, S,.extend the pipes, s, 8 the latter forming the inlet pipe for the admission of steam from the boiler to the heating coil.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The web of material, X, is adjusted to the rolls, 0, 0, and it is adapted to be drawn in any suitable way into the apparatus, A. As one means for drawing the web through the apparatus I may employ a rope or cable fastened to an end portion of the web and leading around the several guide rolls within the chambers, c, A. The web is first drawn through the chamber, 0, to and around the roll, B, thence the web passes below the upper coil, S, and above the pipes Q, so as to extend below the 13 spreader, K, and around the roll, E. Said web thence extends horizontally and backwardly from the roll, E, below the pipes, Q, over the distributer, H, and around the take up roll, F. From the last mentioned roll the web passes in a horizontal path below the other spreader, K, and around the roll, E, from whence the web passes backwardly through the slot, at, and around the roll, L. Finally theweb passes through the slot, a in a horizontal path through the chamber, A to and around the rolls, 0 0 and'thence back to the roll, 0. The length of the web having been determined, its ends are connected in any suitable way so as to make the web practically endless, and this operation having been performed, the carriage, G, is adjusted by operating the hand wheel, J of the shaft, I so asto move the roll, F, away from the roll, E, in order to stretch the web and place it under the required longitudinal tension. The web is drawn taut around the several rolls, B, E, F, E, L, 0 0 0, which taut condition of the web causes the ribbed surfaces of the Spreaders, K, K, H, to' have such frictional engagement with the material of the web as to stretch it transversely. The web having been properly adjusted, the machine is in condition for operation and the belt, B is started for the purpose of rotating the rolls, B, L, which impart traveling motion to the web, X, the latter moving in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. The operator pours 'a solution on the horizontal upper lead of the web, X, said solution being deposited on the web in front of the distributer, O, the latter operating to uniformly distribute the solution across the web, and the surplus material falling, into suitable collecting vessels, t. If desired, a coating machine or appliance may be employed at the receiving end of the web. The coated portion of the web is moved through the compartment, 0, and is carried back and forth through the drying chamber, A, and as it is moved through the said chambers, 0, A, the coating on the web is subjected to the action of heat and the air blast from the pipes, Q, Q. As before stated, hot air may be blown into the chambers, and the temperature of the air in the chambers may be increased by the heating coil or coils, S. The hot air and vapors from the chamber, A, are made to circulate toward the rear part of the apparatus and around the roll, B, and thence through the chamber, 0, before they can escape through the stack or uptake, D. The web, X, may be passed one or more times through the apparatus, A, for the purpose of drying the coating which is applied thereto, and when the first coating has been dried sufficiently another coating of a different material may be applied to the web so as to superimpose a second coating upon the first coating, whereupon the web is subjected to the drying and evaporating action of the apparatus by causing the web to move in the manner described through the chambers, 0, A. These operations may be continued indefinitely to apply two, three or more coatings to the web of material, X, and then the material may be removed from the apparatus by cutting it transversely or uncoupling its end portions, after which the material may be wound on a roll or shaft so as to place it in a condition for storage preliminary to using the material for commercial purposes.

While the apparatus has been particularly described with reference to its use in the manufacture of artificial leather, it will of course be understood that it may be used in various related arts.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, means within the chamber for spreading the web transversely on the uncoated side of the fabric, and meansfor heating the chamber.

2. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, one member of said means being mounted on a movable carriage positioned within the chamber whereby the position of said member may be adjusted by the movement of said carriage for the purpose of placing longitudinal tension on said web, means within the chamber for spreading the web transversely on the uncoated side of the fabric, and means for heating the chamber.

3. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, a plurality of rolls within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, a plurality of devices in proximity to said rolls and cooperating therewith for spreading the material transversely, and means for heating the chamber.

4. In a fabric coating and drying apgaratus, the combination of a substantia ly closed chamber, a plurality of rolls Within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, a plurality of devices in proximity to said rolls and cooperating therewith for spreading the material transversely, means for exerting longitudinal tension on the web, and means for heating the chamber.

5. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, means whereby the web of material may be repeatedly carried through the chamber for the purpose of drying several successive applications of coating material put thereon, and means for heating the chamber.

6. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, means whereby the web of material may be repeatedly carried through the chamber for the purpose of drying several successive applications of coating material put thereon, means for placing lateral and longitudinal tension on the web, and means for heating the chamber.

7. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, and an adjustable carriage carrying one member of said supporting means and carrying, also, a member for transversely spreading the web, whereby both longitudinal and lateral tension may be placed on the web.

8. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, a stationary member cooperating with the supporting means for spreading. the web laterally, and a second member adjustable in a direction lengthwise of the web, for also spreading the web laterally.

9. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, a dividing partition within said chamber, an inlet for the web above said partition, an outlet for the web below said partition, means for injecting warm air above said partition, means for injecting warm air below said partition, means for spreading the web laterally and adjustable means for placing longitudinal tenslon on the web.

10. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, and a plurality of members within the chamber for supporting a web of material, a carriage on which one of said members is mounted, said carriage being movable lengthwise of the web whereby it may be adjusted to prevent slack-in said web.

11. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, a plurality of members within the chamber for supporting a web of material, a carriage on Which one of said members is mounted, said carriage belng movable lengthwise of the web whereby 1t may be adjusted to prevent slack in sa1d web, means for spreading the web laterally; and means for heating the chamber. I

12. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, a plurality of members within the chamber for supporting a web of material, a carriageon which one of said members is mounted, said carriage being movable lengthwise of the web whereby said carriage may beadjusted to prevent slack in said web, and a spreading device mounted on said carriage for spreading the web laterally.

13. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means Within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, a spreader for the coating material positioned outside the chamber, means for spreading the web laterally on itsuncoated surface, and means operating on the uncoated surface of the fabric for placing longitudinal tension on the web.

14. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, means within the chamber for supporting a web of coated material, means for introducing air into the chamber, perforated air distributers for directing said air onto the coated surface of the web, and means for heating the air.

15. In a fabric coating and drying apparatus for operating on an endless web of material, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, a horizontal partition within said chamber and extending substantially the entire length thereof, a guide roll at the end of said partition positioned partly above and partly below said partition, supporting rolls below said partition, and means whereby a continuous web may enter the chamber above said partition, be passed into, through and out of the chamber and these operations uninterruptedly repeated.

16. In a fabric coating and drying a paratus for operating on an endless web of material, the combination of asubstantially closed chamber, a horizontal partition within said chamber and extending substantially the entire length thereof, a guide roll at the end of said partition positioned partly above and partly below said partition, supporting rolls below said partition, means for heating the chamber, and means whereby a continuous web may enter the chamber above said partition, be passed into, through and out of the chamber and these operations uninterruptedly repeated.

17 In a fabric coating and drying apparatus for treating an endless web of material, the combination of a substantially closed chamber, an ingress slit at one end of said chamber for introducing a web of material to be operated upon, an egress slit at the same end of the chamber through which said fabric passes, supporting and guiding means for the web exteriorly of the chamber, means for passing the web in a circuitous path repeatedly and uninterruptedly through the chamber, and means for heating the air within the chamber.

18. In a fabric coating and drying machine, a substantially closed chamber, ingress and egress slits for a fabric at each end of said chamber, means for guiding and supporting the fabric and moving it repeatedly and uninterruptedly through the chamber, and means for heating the chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

STEPHEN MEERS.

Witnesses:

JAS. H. GRIFFIN, H. I. BERNHARD. 

